"Okay that will be all for today", Melissa our cheer captain said after having drilled us for an hour. She's been brutal since the countdown to our school team's first away game this season.
"And for those of you interested in going to Zayden's party tonight, I'm only gonna say this once, don't think you're granted permission to come late to the practice tomorrow".
"This gal is just evil", I whisper in Nat's ear. "I told you she was from hell", she whispered right back with a smirk even as we both turned back to listen to the queen of darkness continue ranting.
Melissa had been pacing back and forth like a commander charging her troops to war, only thing here is this ain't war, just high school.
"You drunk with hell for a hangover I don't bloody give a damn, had a one night stand and lost your way, couldn't care less, got a cute boyfriend and banged all night, keep that shit to yourself because I will accept no excuses".
She suddenly stopped midway, turned and paused for dramatic effect, "be here 7:00 am sharp tomorrow morning or consider yourself gone".
"Wow she should be an actress or I don't know a…..", "freaking drama queen star", Nat finished for me, making us giggle together before we heard everyone say "crystal".
"I said, have I made myself clear", Melissa screamed with her hands on her waist. She sure hates repeating herself.
"Crystal Mel", we all answered in unison. She loves being called Mel, fucking brings to mind meth. Oh well that's that.
"Wait, does she think we're the same as her posies or her cat that she just keeps ordering us around like kids", one girl, I think Macy said. At this we all laughed as we all were most probably thinking the same thing.
I was about to head for the locker room when Nat tackled me to the ground with our sweaty bodies sticking like glue "yuck so disgusting". "Oh please we've done worse", she said smirking at me. "Oh yeah, I totally agree. We have done worse".
"Well come on lets go, hells over. Time to prepare for our blasted trip to paradi….se.". My friend can exaggerate, cos now she's calling a freaking party that might get us kicked off the team, 'paradise'. "Well if you insist sweetheart, let's go", I said as we stood up together laughing to the locker room.
We walked into the locker room took a quick shower since we'd probably do the same at home before the party, changed into our clothes and walked out the locker room only to come crashing on Justin and Xander walking past, going the heights know where.
"Well if it ain't the little sour lady and her incredibly hot sidekick", Justin said already pissing Natalie off. I really don't get their relationship most times.
"Well if it ain't the attention seeker and the extraordinary hmm hmm, Greek Adonis, delicious specimen of a being", Nat replied with so much politeness, sarcasm was dripping off its edges.
"Wow you guys are at it again", I say interrupting their quibble. "Just do me a favor and leave me out of it this time alright. I got my hands full having this one as a friend", I said jabbing a finger in Nat's direction, "don't mess her up any further alright. You'll just make my work a lot harder than I'm interested in".
Nat dramatically placed her hand on her chest and feigned hurt as she said, "my crushies, I cannot believe you just called me 'this one' like I wasn't the only friend you had in the whole wide world. Take note of the 'had' sweetie, we're done".
"Drama much", I said with a wide smile. "Come on love, you know I can only mean that with love".
"If you two are done being gay, then pay attention cos I'm only gonna say this once, I don't care who you love Ash, but you're getting drunk with me tonight, after which we'll find you a one night stand to hook up with Batty, and Ash babe I can be your cute boyfriend but only for tonight", Justin said, leaving Nat and I staring at him in shock. Well I was, Nat was just looking unimpressed.
"Are you kidding me right now, you were eavesdropping on Mel drip meth, Justin come on I thought you were so past that level". "And what gave you that terrible idea love, I could do much worse munchkin".
"Apparently, that's old news dick. Now get lost cos none of that shits happening, bye".
Nat said before pulling me with her to the car park so we could go home to prepare. We were a few steps from the door or at least Nat was when a warm hand wrapped around mine and jolted us both to a halt.
To say I was shocked is an understatement, because when I turned it was Xander I was staring right at. He had been quiet all through our bantering but I guess he decided now was the best time to speak up
"I followed Justin here because he said you guys were to go with us to the party and I wanted to confirm what time we would be picking you up".
"Well we never had that kinda agreement", I said turning to look at Nat who was so focused on studying the beauty of our school flooring design. Yup, she totally did this.
"Well if that's the case then I guess it's all good. I guess I'll see you at the party, bye", he said and walked away leaving my hand colder than he met it. Hmm strange.
***
Few hours later Nat and I were dressed and all set to go to 'paradise'. She was dressed in a thin strapped red romper with her hair tied in a high ponytail and black strappy heels for shoes. She had little makeup on consisting of lipstick and mascara only and dare I say she looked hot to boot. I had finally decided on going with a black long sleeved crop top with the letter A boldly written on it with glitters, over a high waist blue denim shorts and black boots to finish it off. My makeup was a lot like Nat's, while I left my hair to run straight down my back.
"Well damn sis, we are running late, better get going now", Nat said peeking at her watch even as she did a final twirl in front of my full length mirror. Immediately I grabbed my phone and put it in my small bag while Nat grabbed her jacket and clutch, and we both made our way down the stairs to the foyer where Adam was waiting for us.
My mom had called from the office to confirm our arrangements for the party, worry almost making her come over herself before I told her we already spoke to Adam and that was Nat's idea, not even mine.
"Uhh…. Hey mister, what are you doing here?" I asked with a smile striking a pose even as we stopped on the last step. "Ummm hey missus, you do know I've been waiting a while right?" Adam said smiling back at me. "Well beauty takes time, sire", Nat replied joining our little drama as we all laughed while I stepped forward and hugged him.
He had been caught up with work all week and I was so glad to see him. "Well ladies, your carriage awaits", he said with a bow directing us out the foyer with his hand. I definitely missed our crazy times.
Since I totally blew Nat's plan of hitching a ride with the guys, we agreed that it was better if Adam took us to the party. That way we can both have fun and let loose and not worry about a ride back home as he would come get us later.
Nat had gotten the address for Adam which he entered into the GPS of his rover even as we all zoomed out of the house singing along to the Backstreet boys 'I Want It That Way'.
Forty minutes later, our throats were parched from all the singing and Nat and I were super hyped to get this party started. I usually don't enjoy parties cos I find it difficult to cope with so many people around but Nat's exuberance is a little contagious.
Adam stopped the car a walking distance from the house as there were so many cars parked all over it was a task to go any further. I hugged Adam in the car and stepped out with Nat following suit as we both waved bye to him and started walking towards the house. Adam waited till we were through the gates before zooming off himself.
We could hear the music outside the gates and it only got louder the closer we got. I have to say the place is beautiful with colorful flowers around the house, a huge fountain, a swimming area, it was what you would expect from a rich kid.
Nat and I made our way past the gate and through the house in search of a drink and familiar faces. We ran into a few but not the ones we were looking for. Nat got me a beer and herself vodka shots, why? She intends to start fast so she can get high faster.
We decided to sip our drinks first before going to dance and since the kitchen and the dance floor was only separated by a screen door which was partially open and students were just moving back and forth, we had at least a nice view of what the main party looked like.
Still nursing my drink with Nat beside me, I suddenly felt a chill run down my spine. The entire place was too hot for that to be possible but I swear I had goose pimples all over my legs. Something was off. Like clockwork I instantly surveyed my environment again as this feeling was one I was familiar with. It meant trouble and I think it's too early for trouble to find me again in a new place, I mean we haven't been here up to three months yet.
Noticing the sudden change in my demeanor Nat asked, "Hey what's up with you? That beer not good enough?". "Ha ha, very funny. I just feel weird that's all", I said to ease her mind.
"Well what did you expect when you're sipping on a beer in the kitchen far from the place where weirdness ceases to exist", she replied a little too aggressively for my liking. But as it is in typical Nat fashion she just removed my beer from my hand, dropped it on the counter and pulled me with her to the dance floor just behind the screen door.
We had to push our way through the crowd to get a comfy spot to dance in and goodness did we dance. Nat just kept bursting out her insane Latina moves while I tried to keep up with her. We twirled each other, throwing our hands in the air with our hips breaking like they don't lie. It was just too much fun.
The DJ kept the pop songs coming even as we allowed the bass lines of the songs run through our bodies and drive our minds loose. He just started playing one of my all-time favorites "Hey mama" by David Guetta and Nicki Minaj when I felt a sudden shift in the air and I didn't need to turn to know who it was, my body was familiar with the feeling and who it was associated with. Xander!!!!